During the Edo period, Shimotsui thrived as a port of call for the Kitamaebune (northern front boats), where a folk song called “Shimotsui-bushi” was sung as a form of hospitality for those boarding the Kitamaebune. Shimotsui-bushi has spread nationwide as a representative folk song of Okayama, and the Shimotsui-bushi National Competition is held every September.
Given that a national competition is held, it seems that the recognition of Shimotsui-bushi is high, but there is a growing concern about the lack of successors for folk songs across Japan, and Shimotsui-bushi is no exception.
To connect such Shimotsui-bushi to the next generation, a festival called “Shimotsui Yoakari” is scheduled to be held on October 5, 2024.
We introduce “Shimotsui Yoakari,” a new challenge to inherit the folk song.
What is “Shimotsui Yoakari”?
“Shimotsui Yoakari” is an event scheduled to be held on October 5, 2024 (Saturday).
The history of Shimotsui-bushi sung at Shimotsui Yoakari dates back to the Edo period.
At that time, Shimotsui prospered as a port of call for the Kitamaebune, a place where vast logistics and exchanges of people occurred. The Kitamaebune, which traveled around Japan, was also a source of information about contemporary trends, and it is said that there were frequent exchanges of information between the crew and the people of Shimotsui.
It is said that the beginning of Shimotsui-bushi was when the popular songs conveyed during that time were arranged in a Shimotsui style and performed at drinking parties to entertain the crew. Shimotsui-bushi gradually took shape while incorporating trends and became established in the region.
At Shimotsui Yoakari, you can enjoy “Nagashi Odori” performed by volunteer members who have practiced repeatedly, and “Minna de Shimotsui-bushi”, an experiential type of Shimotsui-bushi that anyone can easily participate in.
Please check the following image for the schedule of “Shimotsui Yoakari.”
Among the members of Nagashi Odori, there are also middle school students from Shimotsui, showcasing how people of various ages are connecting through Shimotsui-bushi.
The venue will be the Shimotsui Shipping Agent Museum and the Shimotsui Townscape Preservation District. Both places retain the atmosphere of a traditional fishing town, so with the songs and dances of Shimotsui-bushi, it feels as if you could time travel back to that era.
There will also be food stalls, allowing you to enjoy festival gourmet while watching Shimotsui-bushi.
This will be the first time for Shimotsui Yoakari to be held. To understand the thoughts behind its organization, we spoke with Yukari Tsumoto from the Shimotsui Yoakari Executive Committee.
Interview with Yukari Tsumoto
Yukari Tsumoto, the initiator of Shimotsui Yoakari, is from Tsuyama City, Okayama Prefecture. She is a folk singer who won the 25th Shimotsui-bushi National Competition held in 2010.
Ms. Tsumoto entered the world of folk songs at the age of 18, and she says that the first song her master taught her was Shimotsui-bushi.
How was Shimotsui Yoakari planned?
Tsumoto (no honorifics)
I love traveling and have visited festivals and traditional events rooted in communities all over Japan.
What I felt at each place was that there is a decreasing number of people involved nationwide, and many regions are facing the risk of losing their traditional events and culture. The central figures who have been passing them down are also aging, and they were working hard in a situation where it was uncertain whether they could continue next year.
Seeing such a situation made me think, “What is my role? What can I do?” and the first thing that came to mind was to connect the Shimotsui-bushi, which was the closest to me, to the next generation.
There are many examples of festivals where people dance in the streets, such as the “Owara Kaze no Bon” in Toyama Prefecture. Drawing inspiration from such festivals, I planned this event to dance and flow Shimotsui-bushi.
Since Shimotsui has a townscape preservation district that retains the atmosphere of a port town from that time, I wanted to utilize the preservation district to help people learn about Shimotsui-bushi.
When I shared the idea with the people of Shimotsui, asking, “How about dancing Shimotsui-bushi in the streets?” I was delighted to hear them say, “That sounds great” and “I’ll support you!”
Did the local people feel similar challenges?
Tsumoto
I think the people living in Shimotsui are lively and enjoy being in a bustling environment.
However, people are inevitably decreasing, and the number of young people is also dwindling, so I believe each person is facing the challenge of “how to sustain the community.” Perhaps because of that, there was an environment where outside opinions were taken seriously.
I am also an outsider, but when I proposed Shimotsui Yoakari, there were people who said, “Thank you for revitalizing Shimotsui.” I was grateful to realize that they had that kind of feeling!
As I specialize in folk songs, I will inherit Shimotsui's culture and traditions through the lens of folk songs. I feel that each person in various fields is thinking about how to make Shimotsui a sustainable community.
The song of Shimotsui-bushi has been passed down since the Edo period, but is the choreography also traditional?
Tsumoto
The choreography for this event is the oldest choreography that has been inherited, created about 80 years ago. While I believe there were dances during the time when the Kitamaebune flourished, the choreography itself has not been passed down.
In the past, it is said that Shimotsui-bushi was always danced during gatherings such as school sports days and Bon Odori (traditional summer dance). However, opportunities to dance Shimotsui-bushi have decreased, and until recently, there were only five people who could dance it properly. Even if opportunities to teach the dance were created, it was difficult to continue.
Among the five, some have passed away, and others are elderly and can no longer dance, so I felt that the passing down of the dance was at a critical point. This time, I made a firm decision to “inherit the dance properly!” and I am receiving choreography guidance from those among the five who can still move. Additionally, we are receiving verbal advice on our dance from those who can no longer dance.
Many of those who nurtured me regarding Shimotsui-bushi have passed away, which brings a sense of loneliness and urgency, but I will absorb everything I can learn while I still can. Both the dance and the song, “I have inherited them to the best of my ability,” I would be happy if that could be conveyed even a little.
Please tell us about the highlights of this event.
Tsumoto
The dance of Shimotsui-bushi is unique because each choreography has a meaning, so I believe it will be a precious experience that can only be seen here.
In terms of production, I am particular about andon (lanterns). This is because, in the lyrics of Shimotsui-bushi, there is a line that says, “The light of the town's lanterns beckons,” so I want to place lanterns to create an atmosphere reminiscent of the bustling port town of that time.
Dancing in the light of the lanterns, with the songs of Shimotsui-bushi echoing everywhere... I hope to recreate a fantastical space that feels like a time slip back to the Shimotsui of that era, even if just for one night.
What kind of people would you like to come?
Tsumoto
I would definitely like the people of Shimotsui to come. We have been preparing for this for a long time, so you might think, “So this is what you have prepared” or “You’ve done well.” I would be happy if you could watch over us warmly.
Also, if anyone sees this Shimotsui Yoakari and wants to get involved as a participant next year, let’s create it together. I hope that as we continue into the second and third years, the affection for Shimotsui-bushi will deepen year by year.
I believe that when local people are having fun and being lively, people will naturally gather. I hope this event will not just attract people to Shimotsui Yoakari, but that the local people enjoying the festival will draw in new visitors.
Please give a message to the readers.
Tsumoto
I think many people have a vague image of Shimotsui as a port town. However, the charm of Shimotsui is not limited to that. I hope you can feel the new goodness of Shimotsui through Shimotsui Yoakari.
This festival is one of the milestones to promote Shimotsui-bushi. Even after Shimotsui Yoakari ends, I want to continue holding regular dance practice sessions to increase the number of dancers, and I also want to focus on promoting the song and shamisen.
I want to nurture the next generation involved with Shimotsui-bushi, so if you are interested, let’s connect through Shimotsui-bushi together.
Please come and see our potential at Shimotsui Yoakari!
Conclusion
During the interview, Ms. Tsumoto told me, “In the past, folk songs had different lyrics depending on the singer. Some people would sing with improvised lyrics.” I believe that because many people have freely sung and added arrangements over a long time, these songs have become established in the region and have been passed down.
Opportunities to hear folk songs in daily life are rare, but if Shimotsui Yoakari is held every year, it seems that Shimotsui-bushi will eventually become a familiar presence.
I look forward to seeing Shimotsui-bushi showcased in a fantastical space illuminated by lanterns. I also want to try participating in “Minna de Shimotsui-bushi,” which is open to everyone.
Please make sure to visit the first-ever “Shimotsui Yoakari.”
Data on Shimotsui Yoakari
| Name | Shimotsui Yoakari |
|---|---|
| Date | October 5, 2024 (Saturday) From 4 PM to 8 PM *If canceled due to inclement weather, it will be postponed to October 12 (Saturday) |
| Location | Shimotsui Townscape Preservation District Street / Shimotsui Shipping Agent Museum |
| Website | Shimotsui Yoakari Instagram |
